FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Knox County as very high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 71.327 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Knox County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 71.327 per year for lightning. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is very high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Knox County.
Lightning
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
98.9/100
Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Knox County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Knoxville, FEMA rates lightning risk for Knox County as very high, with a relative score of 98.9/100. The next highest relative scores are ice storm at 97.5/100 and tornado at 96.8/100.
Using FEMA data for Knox County, Knoxville is #1 among 9 covered Tennessee entries for lightning risk. Asheville is about 83 straight-line miles from the Knoxville map point; its FEMA figures cover Buncombe County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Knoxville? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Knoxville. All FEMA figures on this page cover Knox County.
The FEMA figures cover Knox County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Knox County as very high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 71.327 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 9 Tennessee cities covered by this directory, Knoxville is #1 for relative lightning risk based on FEMA's score for Knox County. Homes within Knoxville can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Knox County, the highest relative ratings are Lightning (Very High), Ice Storm (Very High), and Tornado (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Knox County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Knox County an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Lightning rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 83 mi | Relatively High | 94.7 |
| Kingsport, TN | 87 mi | Relatively High | 93.6 |
| Johnson City, TN | 91 mi | Relatively High | 90.2 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 96 mi | Relatively High | 97.0 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.